At some point every successful company faces the challenge of their physical working space no longer meeting their needs. Maybe the space isn’t large enough to meet demand, or perhaps business has evolved in a direction no longer served by the original facility. So how does one go about finding new space? Hire a broker? An architect? A contractor? All three? If so, then when? And how do you make sure your business needs are met quickly and cost effectively? All of these questions follow the often overt realization that your space no longer works. The problem is that acquiring lab space is not simple. Most people who have been through the process will tell you it takes far more time than expected, and in the case of your company outgrowing its facility, that is time you can’t afford. The other challenge that is often underestimated at first is the complexity of fitting out that lab space.

At this program we will talk though the steps needed to find, acquire and fit-out lab space. We will discuss the role of brokers and their limitations; the timeline associated with finding and securing space; and the ins and outs of permitting and tenant improvement. We will touch on the complexities of developing lab space that make finding the raw shell area difficult, including zoning, mechanical systems, and occupancy types. We will talk about the time it typically takes from the decision to move or expand, to the new facility being fully operational. Finally, we will cover the management of tasks that are not typically handled by the broker, architect or contractor.

Currie & Brown is a global construction consultancy that is specializes in helping owners and tenants manage capital improvement projects. We are currently employed in Portland and worldwide by some of the largest bio-tech and high-tech companies to ensure that their new spaces are brought online as quickly and cost effectively as possible. We look forward to the opportunity to share some of what we have learned to help you in your eventual endeavors to find new space.

Thank you to Currie & Brown for sponsoring this event.